María Marte
María Marte | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1978 Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic |
| Occupation | Chef |
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Known for | Head chef at El Club Allard, two Michelin stars |
María Marte (born 1978) is a chef from the Dominican Republic who works in Spain. She holds the distinction of being the sole female chef in Madrid awarded two Michelin stars and leads the kitchen at "El Club Allard".
Early life
Marte was born in Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic, where her enthusiasm for cooking was sparked during her early years. After gaining experience in a bakery inspired by her mother’s influence, she relocated to Spain, a country she considers the birthplace of gastronomy.
Career
Marte arrived in Madrid in 2003 and began her journey at "El Club Allard" as a dishwasher, coinciding with the arrival of head chef Diego Guerrero. While initially supporting her family through hairdressing alongside her kitchen duties, she keenly observed the culinary environment and aspired to advance. Her determination paid off when she earned an opportunity to work inside the kitchen, dedicating extensive hours and steadily climbing the ranks.
Within just three months, Guerrero identified her talent and promoted her from washing dishes to active kitchen roles. By 2006, she had risen to sous chef. The establishment secured its first Michelin star in 2007 and a second in 2011, achievements that fueled Marte’s professional development. She acquired well-rounded expertise working across bakery, refrigeration, meat, and fish stations before assuming the position of head chef after Guerrero’s exit in 2013.
Her journey from dishwasher to two-star Michelin chef has garnered widespread media coverage. Publications such as El País have dubbed her the "Cinderella Michelin," while Diez Minutos describes her as a "fighter," and Elle celebrates her "triumph of constancy." Additionally, El Correo recognizes her as a "brave and self-made woman."
Following Guerrero’s departure, there were doubts about maintaining the restaurant’s accolades; nevertheless, Marte successfully preserved both Michelin stars in the 2014 guide reassessment. She characterized this accomplishment as "like winning two stars simultaneously."
Marte’s culinary approach focuses on inventive dishes that accentuate the natural qualities of ingredients rather than concealing them. Her hallmark dish, Flor de Hibiscus—a caramelized hibiscus flower topped with pisco sour foam on a pistachio crumble—has become so emblematic that she chose to have its image tattooed.
Awards and recognitions
- Two Michelin stars (2007, 2011)
- Two M's in Guía Metrópoli (2010)
- Two Repsol Suns (2011)
- Metrópoli Restaurant of the Year (2012)
- TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Award (2012)
- Mahou-Millesime Best Restaurant of the Year (2012)
- Salón de Gourmets Best Chef Award (2015)
- Honored by the Dominican Ministry of Tourism and National Association of Hotels and Restaurants (2015)
- Star from the Community of Madrid on International Women's Day for Effort and Dedication (2015)
- National Gastronomy Award for Best Head Chef (2014)